What Does Honda Sensing Actually Do on the 2026 Civic?

THE SHORT ANSWER S+ Shift is a button-activated mode on the 2026 Honda Prelude that makes its hybrid powertrain behave like a geared car, with distinct simulated shifts you can trigger yourself using the paddle shifters. There's no traditional transmission underneath. The stepped engine response and quick reaction to the paddles give the coupe a sportier, more involved feel. Picture merging onto I-78 out of Annandale in a new Prelude, pressing hard on the pedal, and never once touching the paddles behind the steering wheel. That's the most common mistake we expect to see with this car: treating S+ Shift as a gimmick, or not knowing it's there at all. At Clinton Honda, we think it's the feature that most defines the 2026 Prelude. Here's what it does, how to use it, and why it's worth trying. IN THIS POST What S+ Shift Is How to Use It How It Feels Behind the Wheel Why Honda Added It to a Hybrid Coupe Common S+ Shift Mistakes Test Driving the Prelude at Clinton Honda Key takeaways What S+ Shift Is Most hybrids feel smooth but a bit detached when you press hard. Engine speed jumps up and stays there while the car catches up, which drivers often compare to stretching a rubber band. On paper, the Prelude should feel the same way, because its two-motor hybrid system doesn't use a traditional multi-gear transmission. S+ Shift is Honda's answer to that. Turn it on and the car starts acting like it has gears. Engine speed climbs and drops in distinct steps, the display shows which simulated gear you're in, and the paddle shifters let you pick those steps yourself. What's happening underneath Nothing mechanical changes. Honda's software coordinates the gasoline engine, the electric motors and the sound you hear in the cabin to recreate what a shift feels like, from the brief change in pitch to the push as the next step takes over. Think of it as choreography, not hardware. That's also why you can switch the whole experience on and off with a single button. How to Use It You don't need a racing background to get comfortable with S+ Shift. Most people have it figured out within a few miles, especially if they take it in stages instead of grabbing the paddles right away. Here's the order we suggest: Find the button marked S+ Shift and press it while you're driving normally. Leave the paddles alone at first and let the system choose its own shift points, so you learn what a simulated gear change feels like. Pull the right paddle to upshift and the left paddle to downshift. Glance at the gear readout on the display to confirm what you've selected. Press the button again when you want the calm, quiet hybrid back. A habit worth building Shift with intention. Downshift before a curve or a hill, not halfway through it, and let engine speed build a little before you upshift on a merge. Small, early inputs feel natural, while fast, random paddle pulls just feel busy. If you've driven a car with paddle shifters before, the rhythm should feel familiar within a day or two. How It Feels Behind the Wheel Picture the ramp from Route 31 onto I-78 at rush hour. In normal hybrid mode, you press the pedal, the engine note rises and holds, and the Prelude gets up to speed without much drama. With S+ Shift on, that merge comes in steps: a pull, a quick change in tone, then another pull. You can feel how hard the car is working. Downshifts are where most drivers start grinning. Tap the left paddle before a bend on the back roads toward Pittstown or Califon, and the system raises engine speed to match, much the way a skilled driver would with a manual. On a long grade, holding a lower simulated gear gives you a stronger sense of control than letting the car simply coast. When to leave it off S+ Shift isn't meant for every minute behind the wheel. In stop-and-go traffic on Route 22, or on a long, steady cruise, regular hybrid driving is the better fit because it's quieter, smoother and less work. We expect plenty of owners to treat the button like a favorite playlist and save it for the drives that call for it. Why Honda Added It to a Hybrid Coupe The Prelude name has always belonged to a fun, driver-focused coupe. Bringing it back as a hybrid made sense for efficiency and everyday ease. It also gave Honda a problem to solve, though. Plenty of enthusiasts love choosing their own gears, and a smooth, gearless hybrid can feel a little anonymous on a drive you're trying to enjoy. S+ Shift bridges that gap. On weekdays you get the hybrid's quiet commute, and with one button press you get a sportier, more involved character. In Honda's lineup the feature belongs to the Prelude alone, which is a big reason we think it deserves a proper try before you decide on a coupe. What it means for you For a shopper, the real benefit is not having to choose. You don't give up efficiency to get a car that's fun on a Saturday, and you don't have to learn to work a clutch. If you're curious how the Prelude fits your routine, browse our new Honda inventory to see when it's arriving at our Annandale showroom. Common S+ Shift Mistakes We see the same handful of mix-ups whenever a car with a new kind of driving feature reaches our lot. Knowing them ahead of time will make your first week with a Prelude a lot more enjoyable. Never pressing the button. Plenty of drivers stay in regular Drive and assume the paddles do nothing special. Try S+ Shift at least once on a road you know well. Expecting a manual. There's no clutch pedal and no chance of stalling, so relax and drive. Upshifting too soon. Pulling the right paddle the instant you accelerate makes the car feel flat, so let engine speed build first. Using it everywhere. In heavy traffic it adds effort without adding much enjoyment. Judging it in a parking lot. You need a few miles of open road to feel the difference. One more tip Give your passengers a heads-up. The shift feel and changing engine note can surprise someone who's expecting a silent hybrid. A quick explanation keeps everyone comfortable on that first spirited drive. Test Driving the Prelude at Clinton Honda Reading about a simulated downshift only gets you so far. You really have to feel one. When you book a test drive, tell us you want to try S+ Shift, and we'll set aside time to walk you through the button and paddles before you pull out. Plan a route with variety Ask to include: A highway merge, ideally onto I-78 A few curves on a local back road A hill, so you can try a downshift on the way down A stretch of normal traffic with the mode switched off That mix shows you both sides of the car in one outing. Bring whoever will share the Prelude with you, since the person in the passenger seat often has strong opinions about the sound. Clinton Honda has won the DealerRater.com/Cars.com Consumer Satisfaction Award every year since 2015. We were also named the Cars.com NJ Honda Dealer of the Year for 2026. Come see us in Annandale and take your time getting to know the car. Where 1511 US-22 Annandale, NJ Call (908) 255-1985 KEY TAKEAWAYS S+ Shift simulates gear changes. It doesn't add a transmission or a clutch. Press the S+ Shift button, then use the right paddle to upshift and the left to downshift. Try it on a test drive with mixed roads, including a highway merge, some curves and a downhill. FAQ Common questions Is S+ Shift the same as a manual transmission? No. There's no clutch pedal and no conventional gearbox. S+ Shift uses software to make the hybrid system feel like it's moving through gears, and you control those steps with the paddles instead of a stick. Do I have to use the paddle shifters when S+ Shift is on? No. With the mode on, the Prelude can choose its own simulated shift points, so you get the stepped feel without touching the paddles. Reach for them when you want more control, like before a curve or a hill. How do I turn S+ Shift off? Press the S+ Shift button again. The Prelude goes back to its regular hybrid behavior, which is smoother and quieter for commuting and traffic. Can I try S+ Shift on a test drive at Clinton Honda? Yes. When you schedule, let us know you'd like to try S+ Shift. We'll explain the controls before you head out and help you plan a route around Annandale with a highway merge and a few curves. Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Schedule a test drive Browse new inventory Or call (908) 255-1985 · 1511 US-22, Annandale Or keep browsing Current offers Financing Value your trade Book service Contact us Used cars

THE SHORT ANSWER Yes. The 2027 Honda CR-V Hybrid offers all-wheel drive as an option on the Sport Hybrid and Sport-L Hybrid, and it's standard on the TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid. Choosing AWD raises the price a little and lowers fuel economy slightly. In return, you get better grip on snow, rain and loose roads. Each winter in Annandale, CR-V Hybrid shoppers ask us whether they can get it with all-wheel drive. They can. Before you buy, it helps to know which trims have it, what it actually does on the road, and what it costs you. At Clinton Honda, we'll walk you through it from the ground up. IN THIS POST Yes, and Here's Which Trims Have It What AWD Does in Snow, Rain and Hills What AWD Costs You in Price and MPG Matching the Trim to Your Driving Try Both Drivetrains Before You Decide Key takeaways Yes, and Here's Which Trims Have It You get more choice here than many shoppers expect. Four of the six 2027 CR-V Hybrid trims come with all-wheel drive, and two of them come with nothing else. Let's start with the terms. A hybrid pairs a gas engine with electric motors, so the SUV can use electric power to help it move and save fuel. Front-wheel drive, which Honda labels 2WD, sends that power only to the front wheels. All-wheel drive (AWD) can send it to all four, so the rear wheels can push when the front ones lose grip. Here's how the lineup sorts out: Sport Hybrid: choose 2WD or AWD Sport-L Hybrid: choose 2WD or AWD TrailSport Hybrid: AWD only Sport Touring Hybrid: AWD only What stays the same is the hardware that makes the power. Every version uses Honda's In-Line 4-Cylinder Two-Motor Hybrid System rated at 204 hp, and they all seat five. So picking AWD won't make the CR-V Hybrid quicker or roomier. It changes where the power goes, and that matters most on the days the road is working against you. What AWD Does in Snow, Rain and Hills Think of AWD as help with getting moving and staying moving when grip is poor. Traction is simply how well your tires hold the road. On dry pavement, a 2WD CR-V Hybrid has plenty of it, so the AWD system mostly stays in the background. AWD earns its keep on slippery surfaces. Picture pulling out of a snowy side street, climbing a steep driveway after an ice storm, or merging onto I-78 in a cold rain. In those moments, a front-wheel-drive SUV can spin its front tires. With AWD, power shifts toward the rear wheels when the fronts start to slip, so you get going more smoothly and with less drama. Here's the part people miss: AWD does not help you stop or turn. Brakes and steering depend on how well your tires grip, and driving all four wheels won't change that on glare ice. That's why tires matter as much as the drivetrain. A 2WD CR-V Hybrid on good winter tires can feel more sure-footed in a Hunterdon County snowstorm than an AWD one on worn all-seasons. If you're heading into winter unsure about your tread, you can book service with us, and we'll check your tires before the first storm. What AWD Costs You in Price and MPG AWD isn't free, and real numbers make the tradeoff easier to judge. On the Sport Hybrid, the 2WD version has an MSRP of $36,030, and the AWD version is $37,530. MSRP stands for manufacturer's suggested retail price. It's the starting sticker price before taxes, fees and options. Fuel economy shifts too. You'll usually see mpg (miles per gallon) given as three ratings: city, highway and combined. Combined is the best single estimate of your everyday average. The 2WD Sport and Sport-L Hybrid are rated at 40 mpg combined, and the AWD versions of those trims come in at 37. That drop comes from the extra parts AWD adds, which bring more weight and more friction. TrailSport Hybrid goes a bit lower, to 35 combined. Choose it for its trail-ready personality, not for stretching every gallon. For most drivers, those differences are small next to what you gain in bad weather. If you'd like to see how the price gap looks over the life of a loan, our financing options page is a good place to start. Approval and terms always depend on your credit and the lender. Matching the Trim to Your Driving If you want AWD at the lowest price The Sport Hybrid (AWD) is the most affordable way into an all-wheel-drive CR-V Hybrid. You get the same hybrid system and passenger room as the pricier trims. That makes it a smart pick if you commute on Route 31 or I-78 and mainly want confidence on winter mornings. Stepping up to the Sport-L Hybrid (AWD) adds comfort and convenience features and keeps the same fuel economy rating. If you want trail flavor or the top trim TrailSport Hybrid is aimed at drivers who head to trailheads, campgrounds and gravel roads, and AWD comes standard. Sport Touring Hybrid sits at the top of the lineup, also with AWD standard, and carries the most features. There's one thing to know before choosing the top trim. Behind the rear seats, the Sport Touring Hybrid has 34.7 cubic feet of cargo space, while the other trims have 36.3. It's a small difference. Still, if you often fill the back with strollers, sports gear or big grocery runs, load your own things into one before you decide. You can see what's here right now in our new CR-V Hybrid inventory and narrow it down by trim and drivetrain. Try Both Drivetrains Before You Decide The surest way to choose between 2WD and AWD is to drive both, ideally back to back. On a dry day you may not feel much difference. Pay attention to how each one pulls away from a stop, climbs a steep grade and handles rough pavement. Ask us to route you over some of the hillier roads around Annandale so you get a realistic feel for local driving. A few questions to think through first: How often do you drive in snow, or before the plows come through? Is your driveway or street steep? Do you head to ski areas, trailheads or dirt roads? How much do a few mpg matter on your daily mileage? If you said yes to any of the first three, AWD is usually worth it. If most of your miles are on cleared highways and you plan to run winter tires, 2WD can serve you well. We've won the DealerRater.com/Cars.com Consumer Satisfaction Award every year since 2015. We were also named the Cars.com NJ Honda Dealer of the Year for 2026. When you're ready, book a test drive, and we'll do our best to have both versions lined up so you can compare them. Where 1511 US-22 Annandale, NJ Call (908) 255-1985 KEY TAKEAWAYS Four of the six 2027 CR-V Hybrid trims have AWD, and TrailSport and Sport Touring come with nothing else. AWD helps you get moving on slippery roads, but good tires still do the work of stopping and turning. The tradeoff is a modestly higher price and a few fewer mpg compared with the 2WD versions. FAQ Common questions Can I add all-wheel drive to a 2WD CR-V Hybrid later? No. The drivetrain is built in at the factory, so decide on 2WD or AWD before you buy. If you're on the fence, a back-to-back test drive usually settles it. Is AWD the same as 4WD? Not quite. AWD runs on its own and sends power to the rear wheels when the fronts slip, which suits snow, rain and gravel. Four-wheel drive (4WD) is typically a heavier-duty system built for serious off-road use. The CR-V Hybrid uses AWD. Does AWD lower the CR-V Hybrid's fuel economy? A little. The 2WD Sport and Sport-L Hybrid are rated at 40 mpg combined, and their AWD versions are rated at 37. The TrailSport Hybrid is rated at 35 combined. Do I still need winter tires if I get AWD? For snowy New Jersey winters, they're a smart idea. AWD helps you accelerate on slick roads, but your tires do the work of stopping and steering. Winter tires paired with AWD give you the most grip. Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Schedule a test drive Browse new inventory Or call (908) 255-1985 · 1511 US-22, Annandale Or keep browsing Current offers Financing Value your trade Book service Contact us Used cars

THE SHORT ANSWER Before you buy a used Honda CR-V Hybrid, check four things. Start with the service history and open recalls, then the health of both the hybrid battery and the small 12-volt battery. After that, look underneath for New Jersey road-salt rust, and finish with how the two-motor system feels on a real test drive. A CR-V Hybrid that passes all four is usually a solid, low-drama SUV to own. A used Honda CR-V Hybrid can save you money at the pump and on the purchase price, but only if you pick a good one. At Clinton Honda in Annandale, we were named the Cars.com NJ Honda Dealer of the Year for 2026, and we talk with shoppers about hybrids every week. Here's a beginner-friendly walk through what to check, starting with how the system works and ending with the test drive. IN THIS POST How a CR-V Hybrid Works, in Plain Terms Start With the Paperwork Hybrid Checks You Won't Need on a Gas Car Rust, Tires and New Jersey Roads The Test Drive and Picking a Trim Key takeaways How a CR-V Hybrid Works, in Plain Terms A hybrid pairs a gas engine with electric motors and a battery that recharges itself as you drive. You never plug a CR-V Hybrid in. Honda calls its setup a two-motor hybrid system. One motor drives the wheels, while the other works as a generator that the gas engine turns to make electricity. Most of the time, the electric motor is what actually moves you. The engine often runs just to feed the battery, which is why you may hear it rev while your speed stays steady. That's normal. Knowing it ahead of time keeps a test drive from feeling strange. Terms you'll hear Regenerative braking: when you slow down, the motor turns the car's momentum back into battery charge. EV mode: short stretches, usually at low speed, where the car runs on battery alone. 12-volt battery: a small, ordinary battery that powers the electronics and wakes the hybrid system up. Once those pieces make sense, the checks below will too. You're really inspecting two systems, gas and electric, plus the usual parts that wear on any used SUV. Start With the Paperwork Before you look under anything, look at the history. Ask for the VIN, the 17-character vehicle identification number on the dashboard and the driver's door jamb. It unlocks almost everything else. Run a vehicle history report to see accidents, title problems and how many owners it's had. Check for open recalls by entering the VIN on the NHTSA website or asking any Honda service department. Ask for service records. Honda's Maintenance Minder tells owners when service is due, so look for oil changes and inspections that roughly follow it. Warranty matters more on a hybrid than on a gas car. Honda covers hybrid components separately from its basic warranty, and that coverage may still be active on a newer used CR-V. A Honda dealer can tell you what's left using the VIN. For extra peace of mind, consider a certified pre-owned Honda. Certified pre-owned, or CPO, means the vehicle passed Honda's inspection and carries added factory warranty coverage, not just a promise from the seller. Expect to pay more than for a comparable non-certified CR-V, so weigh that against how long you plan to keep it. Hybrid Checks You Won't Need on a Gas Car The big battery The high-voltage battery is the part shoppers worry about most. Honda builds these to last, but their health still depends on age, climate and how the car was used. Ask a Honda service department to run a hybrid system diagnostic, a scan that reads the battery's condition and any stored fault codes. A clean dashboard can't tell you that. Everything around it Warning lights: at startup they should come on briefly, then go out. Anything that stays lit needs an explanation. 12-volt battery: a weak one can cause odd electrical glitches or a no-start. It's inexpensive to replace, but test it anyway. Brakes: regenerative braking does much of the slowing, so pads often last longer. On the flip side, calipers and rotors can rust or stick from light use. Climate control: run the heat and A/C hard. The A/C compressor runs on electricity, so it should keep cooling even when the engine shuts off. Already own a CR-V Hybrid, or weighing a private sale? You can book service with our Honda technicians to have the hybrid system checked. Rust, Tires and New Jersey Roads Hunterdon County winters mean road salt, and salt is hard on the underside of any car. Bring a flashlight and look under the CR-V before you fall for the interior. Check the subframe, brake lines, exhaust and rocker panels (the strips of body below the doors). Light surface rust is common. Scaly or crumbling metal is not. Look inside the wheel wells and along the bottoms of the doors and tailgate. Lift the cargo floor cover and feel for moisture. Tire condition tells you a lot. Uneven wear can point to alignment problems from potholes on Route 78 or Route 22. On an all-wheel-drive model, all four tires should match in brand, size and tread depth, because mismatched tires can strain the AWD system. Mileage tells only part of the story. A CR-V that spent years cruising Route 31 may show more miles but easier ones than an SUV that made short hops around town, which are tougher on brakes and the 12-volt battery. When you browse our used car inventory, ask how a particular CR-V was driven, and we'll share what we know. The Test Drive and Picking a Trim Plan a drive long enough to include back roads and a highway on-ramp. Start the car cold if you can, and notice how smoothly it shifts between battery and engine power. Listen for clunks over bumps and grinding under braking. Feel for hesitation when you press the accelerator hard to merge. Make sure the touchscreen, phone pairing, backup camera and driver-assist alerts work. Which trim fits Honda's trim names have changed over the years, so match the badge to the model year. On the current lineup, you'll find the Sport Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid, all with 204 horsepower. The front-wheel-drive Sport Hybrid is the efficiency pick at 40 mpg combined, while AWD versions give up a few mpg for all-wheel drive traction on snowy Hunterdon hills. Clinton Honda has won the DealerRater.com/Cars.com Consumer Satisfaction Award every year since 2015, and we work to keep earning it. Once you've found a CR-V Hybrid that passes your checks, book a test drive and we'll have it ready when you arrive. Where 1511 US-22 Annandale, NJ Call (908) 255-1985 KEY TAKEAWAYS Run the VIN for history, recalls and remaining hybrid warranty before you fall for the car. Ask for a hybrid system diagnostic, because a clean dashboard doesn't reveal battery health. Inspect the underside and tires closely, since salt and potholes are hard on any used SUV in New Jersey. FAQ Common questions Is a high-mileage CR-V Hybrid a bad idea? Not automatically. Highway miles are often gentler than short trips, and a complete service history matters more than the odometer alone. Pair the mileage with a hybrid system diagnostic and a close look underneath before you decide. How can I tell if the hybrid battery is healthy? Ask a Honda service department to run a hybrid system diagnostic. It reads the battery's condition and any stored fault codes, which you can't judge from the dashboard or a short drive. Should I get front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive in New Jersey? Front-wheel drive with good all-season or winter tires handles most local driving and earns slightly better fuel economy. All-wheel drive adds traction on snowy hills and unplowed roads, which some Hunterdon County drivers value enough to give up a few mpg. Can I finance a used CR-V Hybrid with Clinton Honda? We can walk you through financing options and work with lenders on your behalf. Approval and terms depend on the lender and your credit, so we can't promise a specific outcome, but we'll explain each step clearly. Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Schedule a test drive Browse new inventory Or call (908) 255-1985 · 1511 US-22, Annandale Or keep browsing Current offers Financing Value your trade Book service Contact us Used cars